Kikujiro

Kikujiro – (1999) – Takeshi Kitano

Japanese Master

It is the second time I have seen this film and I found it every bit as enchanting this time around as the last.

Kitano has mastered his art and uses filming techniques borrowed from the likes of Kurosawa, but adds his own ingredients to make a visual spectacle. The wide angles are carefully crafted shots and almost resemble paintings in which he creates movement and form but only so much as to tease the eye. It is quite beautiful to watch.

The story follows a young boy abandoned at a young age by his mother and brought up by his grandmother. He yearns to see his mother and have a normal life like all the other kids. He one day finds a picture of his mother and sets out to find her. On his way, after an incident, some family friends offer to accompany him (or rather the husband played by Kitano). Kitano's character is a typical Kitano gangster and although a bully, people see good in him. The film continues as a road movie picking up wonderful characters along the way. The bikers are my personal favourites and I found Kitano's humour hysterical at times.

I cannot rave about this film enough and apart from a score which did nothing for the film and was at times mildly irritating it ranks among my favourite movies because of its script and visuals.

Simple, beautiful and fun.